Accessing Your Awards

1. Log into SIS:
   • Go to the Main Menu and select Financial Aid or click on the Financial Aid Menu tab.
   • Select Award Package by Aid Year and choose the desired Aid Year, then click Submit.
2. View Your Awards:
   • Here, you’ll see your estimated cost of attendance and financial aid awards.
   • Assumptions:
     • We assume full-time attendance.
     • Room and board allowances are based on an on-campus, double-occupancy room and the average board plan. Actual costs may differ based on your housing choice.
3. Billing Statements:
   • Fall Semester: Issued electronically in July.
   • Spring Semester: Issued in December.
   • Summer Semester: Issued in May.

Important Award and Eligibility Information

• Tuition Remission:
  • If you receive a Rensselaer Tuition Remission benefit, you are ineligible for other Rensselaer scholarships or grants unless your Rensselaer aid would exceed the value of Tuition Remission.
• Award Limits:
  • Undergraduate programs: The combined total of grants, scholarships, education loans, and Federal Work Study cannot exceed the published cost of attendance.
  • Graduate and Coterminal Programs: Total RPI awards cannot exceed tuition charges during graduate enrollment periods, including for Coterminal Degree Program students (effective Fall 2023 or later).
• Other Family Members in College
  • In determining your eligibility for Rensselaer need-based grants and/or scholarships, we do not consider other family members who are attending graduate school nor a parent attending college.  

Cost of Attendance

• Basic Annual Expenses:
  • Your award letter shows basic expenses for the academic year.
  • Health Insurance Fee: Not included in the cost of attendance but may be waived if you have alternate insurance (see Rensselaer Health Center or call 518-276-6287).
  • The official Cost of Attendance is finalized each spring. Before this, an estimated cost is used.
• Additional Costs:
  • Not Directly Billed by Rensselaer: Average Direct Loan fees, personal expenses, and miscellaneous costs.
  • Books and Supplies: Can be charged to your student account if purchased through the Rensselaer Book Store.
  • Excess Aid: Financial aid beyond Rensselaer charges can help cover these additional costs.

Estimated Total Family Cost to Attend Rensselaer

• Our cost of attendance (including books, transportation, and personal expenses) minus financial aid awards.
  • Note: This amount will be higher than your direct billing costs and does not represent the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA.

Estimating Your Annual Direct Billing

• How to Calculate:
  • Subtract your gift awards and accepted student loans from the total of your actual tuition, fees, and room and board.
  • Do not subtract work-study eligibility.
  • Your final charges will reflect your confirmed enrollment level and housing selection.

Additional Resources

• Financing Options:
  • Many students and parents use additional resources to cover remaining costs after financial aid.
  • Visit our Financing a Rensselaer Education page for details on common alternative funding options.